Jon Jones returned from a 20-month layoff on Saturday for his long-awaited fight with Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, and as expected, he retained the belt.
Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) was a massive favorite over former champion Miocic (20-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC), who hadn’t competed since March 2021, and went out and lived up to that with a third-round TKO victory in the headlining act of the event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
There’s been much speculation about Jones’ fighting future heading into the event, and afterward Jones said he will continue fighting, while Miocic retired.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Jones beating Miocic at UFC 309.
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PRE-FIGHT
Jones has arrived to MSG! #UFC309 is LIVE on @ESPNPlus PPV! pic.twitter.com/T4ZIgdzhlN
— danawhite (@danawhite) November 17, 2024
Miocic has arrived to MSG! #UFC309 is LIVE on @ESPNPlus PPV! pic.twitter.com/CTAgw9dI3C
— danawhite (@danawhite) November 17, 2024
Almost time…
The #UFC309 main event is wrapped for battle! pic.twitter.com/wpVSSvhYtB
— UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024
The #UFC309 MAIN EVENT is FINALLY here!
Final pick: Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic?
Full coverage: https://t.co/fw8KMnqZjL pic.twitter.com/CGh3wF8xpX
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) November 17, 2024
The legend!
@StipeMiocic makes the walk! #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/p6DZnmdpno
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) November 17, 2024
“The Champ is HERE”
@JonnyBones | #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/u5MV5psIc7
— UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024
The GOAT psyching himself up
#UFC309 pic.twitter.com/7XEByfsoDY
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 17, 2024
Tom watching Jon walk by
#UFC309 pic.twitter.com/YRum9Qc4br
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 17, 2024
IT’S TIME #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/njGLd4rkHw
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 17, 2024
THE FIGHT
BIG TAKEDOWN FOR JONES EARLY! #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/2MaofariAb
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 17, 2024
Jones lands an easy trip and is about to go to work on the ground.
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) November 17, 2024
Jon has been waiting for a long time to throw 12-6 elbows
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 17, 2024
10-8 Jones. Pure dominance from the GOAT #UFC309
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 17, 2024
Stipe is one tough customer ! #UFC309
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 17, 2024
Dominant first round for Jones. #UFC309
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 17, 2024
20-17 Jones. Vintage Jon Jones stuff here. No signs of age or injury issues here. Smooth. #UFC309
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) November 17, 2024
#AndStill! Jon Jones crushes Stipe Miocic to the body for the TKO. #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/kvmPe2svaX
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) November 17, 2024
Jon Jones is and always will be the greatest fighter of all-time!!! #UFC309
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 17, 2024
Man that was nasty def broke ribs
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 17, 2024
Jon Jones hit the Donald Trump dance after his win
#UFC309 pic.twitter.com/gFyZG2dWTf
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 17, 2024
#UFC309 results: Jon Jones (@JonnyBones) def. Stipe Miocic via TKO (spinning body kick) – Round 3, 4:29 – to defend heavyweight title
Full coverage: https://t.co/fw8KMnqZjL pic.twitter.com/MdN0An6ztR
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) November 17, 2024
THE AFTERMATH
Stipe Miocic has retired. #UFC309
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) November 17, 2024
#UFC309 pic.twitter.com/dhzGCl6g9t
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) November 17, 2024
@JonnyBones greatest of all time!
#UFC309
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) November 17, 2024
Jones looked great out there tonight.
Congrats Jonny boy
I see you— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) November 17, 2024
The Champ’s not done yet
@JonnyBones | #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/WtcFjCNJyy
— UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024
Jon Jones is a man with many weapons and yes, he’s still a beast!
Congrats to Stipe Miocic on an amazing career. #ufc309
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) November 17, 2024